Riser bolt torque system

ABSTRACT

Present embodiments relate to a riser bolt torque device that is configured to couple a first riser joint to a second riser joint to form a riser of a subsea drilling system. The riser bolt torque device includes a first arm and a second arm, multiple torque tools supported on the first arm and the second arm, and one or more actuators configured to drive the first arm and the second arm to pivot relative to one another from an open configuration to a closed configuration to enable alignment between the multiple torque tools and a flange of the first riser joint.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/321,822, filed on May 17, 2021, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects ofart that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure,which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed tobe helpful in providing the reader with background information tofacilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statementsare to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Natural resources have a profound effect on modern economies andsocieties. In order to meet the demand for such natural resources,numerous companies invest significant amounts of time and money insearching for, accessing, and extracting oil, natural gas, and othernatural resources. Particularly, once a desired natural resource isdiscovered below the surface of the earth, drilling systems are oftenemployed to access the desired natural resource. The drilling systemscan be located onshore or offshore depending on the location of thedesired natural resource. When located offshore, the drilling systemsmay include a riser that connects equipment at a sea floor to a rig at asea surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure willbecome better understood when the following detailed description is readwith reference to the accompanying figures in which like charactersrepresent like parts throughout the figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a drilling system, in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a riser bolt torque system that may beused to couple and/or to decouple riser joints of a riser of thedrilling system of FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a riser bolt torque device that may beused as part of the riser bolt torque system of FIG. 2 , in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the riser bolt torque device of FIG. 3 , inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the riser bolt torque device of FIG. 3 , inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the riser bolt torque device of FIG. 3 ,wherein the riser bolt torque device is in a centered position, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the riser bolt torque device of FIG. 3 ,wherein the riser bolt torque device is in the centered position, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the riser bolt torque device of FIG. 3 , whereinthe riser bolt torque device is in the centered position, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the riser bolt torque device of FIG. 3 ,wherein the riser bolt torque device is in an engaged position, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the riser bolt torque device of FIG. 3 ,wherein the riser bolt torque device is in the engaged position, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the riser bolt torque device of FIG. 3 ,wherein the riser bolt torque device is in the engaged position, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the riser bolt torque device of FIG. 3, wherein the riser bolt torque device is in a final position aftertightening bolts, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 13 is a side view of the riser bolt torque device of FIG. 3 ,wherein the riser bolt torque device is in the final position aftertightening the bolts, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed below. These described embodiments are only exemplary of thepresent disclosure. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concisedescription of these exemplary embodiments, all features of an actualimplementation may not be described in the specification. It should beappreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation,as in any engineering or design project, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedevelopers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a developmenteffort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be aroutine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those ofordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

When introducing elements of various embodiments, the articles “a,”“an,” “the,” “said,” and the like, are intended to mean that there areone or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,”“having,” and the like are intended to be inclusive and mean that theremay be additional elements other than the listed elements. The use of“top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” and variations of these terms is madefor convenience but does not require any particular orientation of thecomponents relative to some fixed reference, such as the direction ofgravity. The term “fluid” encompasses liquids, gases, vapors, andcombinations thereof. Numerical terms, such as “first,” “second,” and“third” may be used to distinguish components to facilitate discussion,and it should be noted that the numerical terms may be used differentlyor assigned to different elements in the claims. The drawing figures arenot necessarily to scale. Certain features and components herein may beshown exaggerated in scale and/or in somewhat schematic form. Somedetails may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

A drilling system that is located offshore may include a drilling fluidsystem that is configured to circulate drilling fluid into and out of awellbore to facilitate drilling the wellbore. For example, the drillingfluid system may provide a flow of the drilling fluid through a drillstring as the drill string rotates a drill bit that is positioned at adistal end portion of the drill string. The drilling fluid may exitthrough one or more openings at the distal end portion of the drillstring and may return toward a platform of the drilling system via anannular space that surrounds the drill string. In particular, theannular space may include a lower portion that is defined between thedrill string and a casing that lines the wellbore, as well as an upperportion that is defined between the drill string and a riser thatextends from equipment at a sea floor to the platform.

The riser may be formed from multiple riser joints that are connectedend-to-end via respective flanges. For example, in order to join a firstriser joint to a second riser joint, a first flange of the first riserjoint and a second flange of a second riser joint may be aligned withone another. Then, multiple bolts may be inserted through first openingsin the first flange of the first riser joint and through second openingsin the second flange of the second riser joint. The multiple bolts maybe tightened (e.g., torqued) to secure the first riser joint and thesecond riser joint to one another. This process may be repeated over andover for additional riser joints (e.g., more than 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, ormore) until the riser joints are connected together to form the riserwith a length that extends from the equipment at the sea floor to theplatform.

Without the disclosed embodiments, an operator may physically handle andmanipulate a tool to tighten the multiple bolts. As such, it may take asubstantial amount of time and physical labor by the operator to formthe riser. Advantageously, the disclosed embodiments provide a riserbolt torque system that includes a riser bolt torque device that isconfigured to tighten the multiple bolts. The riser bolt torque systemmay include a controller (e.g., electronic controller) that controls theriser bolt torque device to move to a centered position relative to thefirst riser joint, then to adjust to an engaged position to engage themultiple bolts, and then to apply torque to the multiple bolts to reacha final position in which the multiple bolts are tightened to secure thefirst riser joint and the second riser joint to one another. The riserbolt torque system may operate to join multiple riser joints together inthis way to form the riser. It should also be appreciated that the riserbolt torque system may operate to loosen the multiple bolts to separatethe multiple riser joints from one another to break up the riser.

With the foregoing in mind, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of anembodiment of a drilling system 10 that is configured to carry outdrilling operations. The drilling system 10 may be an offshore system(e.g., subsea system) and may include a wellhead assembly 12 coupled toa mineral deposit via a well 16 having a wellbore 18.

The wellhead assembly 12 may include or be coupled to multiplecomponents that control and regulate activities and conditionsassociated with the well 16. For example, the wellhead assembly 12generally includes pipes, bodies, valves, and seals that enable drillingof the well 16, route produced minerals from the mineral deposit,provide for regulating pressure in the well 16, and provide for theinjection of drilling fluids into the wellbore 18. As used herein, thewellhead assembly 12 may be considered to include or be coupled to ablowout preventer (BOP) stack that includes one or more ram BOPs and/ora lower marine riser package (LMRP) that includes one or more annularBOPs. A casing may provide structure for the wellbore 18 and may blockcollapse of the sides of the well 16 into the wellbore 18.

A riser 20 (e.g., annular structure; drilling riser) may extend betweenthe wellhead assembly 12 (e.g., between the LMRP) and a platform 22. Theplatform 22 may include or support various components that facilitateoperation of the drilling system 10, such as pumps, tanks, and powersystems. The platform 22 may also include a derrick 24 that supports atubular 26 (e.g., drill string), which may extend through the riser 20.A drilling fluid system 28 may direct the drilling fluid into thetubular 26, and the drilling fluid may exit through one or more openingsat a distal end portion 30 of the tubular 26 and may return (along withcuttings and/or other substances from the well 16) toward the platform22 via an annular space (e.g., between the tubular 26 and the casingthat lines the wellbore 18; between the tubular 26 and the riser 20). Adrill bit 32 may be positioned at the distal end portion 30 of thetubular 26. The tubular 26 may rotate within the riser 20 to rotate thedrill bit 32, thereby enabling the drill bit 32 to drill and form thewell 16.

As shown, the drilling system 10 may include multiple riser joints 38,such as a first riser joint 40, a second riser joint 42, a third riserjoint 44, and so on. It should be appreciated that the riser 20 mayinclude any number of riser joints 38 that enable the riser 20 to have asufficient length to extend from the wellhead assembly 12 to theplatform 22. It should also be appreciated that the riser 20 may includeother features, such as a telescopic riser joint (TRJ) that isconfigured to enable heave of the platform 22 relative to the riserjoints 38 (e.g., bare riser joints, such as the first riser joint 40,the second riser joint 42, and the third riser joint 44). The riser 20may also support one or more auxiliary lines 46, which may deliver fluid(e.g., high-pressure fluid from a fluid source 48) to components of thewellhead assembly 12 and/or which may support power and/or control linesfor components of the wellhead assembly 12, for example.

As discussed in more detail herein, a riser bolt torque system 50 thatincludes a riser bolt torque device 52 may be provided to efficientlyconnect the riser joints 38 to form the riser 20 and/or to disconnectthe riser joints 38 to break up the riser 20. In particular, the riserbolt torque device 52 may be configured to tighten bolts 54 that extendthrough flanges 56 (e.g., annular flanges) of the riser joints 38 tothereby efficiently connect the riser joints 38 to form the riser 20and/or to loosen the bolts 54 that extend through flanges 56 of theriser joints 38 to thereby efficiently to disconnect the riser joints 38to break up the riser 20. The riser bolt torque device 52 may besupported on the platform 22, such as within a moon pool of the platform22 or in any other suitable region that enables the riser bolt torquedevice 52 to reach the riser joints 38. The drilling system 10 and itscomponents may be described with reference to the vertical axis 2 (orvertical direction), a radial axis 4 (or radial direction), and acircumferential axis 6 (or direction) to facilitate discussion.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the riser bolt torquesystem 50 that includes the riser bolt torque device 52. The riser bolttorque device 52 is configured to adjust the bolts 54 that extendthrough openings in the flanges 56 to connect and/or to disconnect theriser joints 38. FIG. 2 shows one of the riser joints 38, which islabeled as the first riser joint 40 to facilitate discussion.

As shown, the riser bolt torque device 52 may include a first arm 60(e.g., curved arm) and a second arm 62 (e.g., curved arm) that areconfigured to move relative to one another. In some embodiments, thefirst arm 60 and the second arm 62 are pivotally coupled to one anothervia a pivot 64 (e.g., pivot or hinge assembly) positioned betweenrespective first ends 68 (e.g., proximal ends). In operation, the firstarm 60 and the second arm 62 may rotate about the pivot 64 to adjust theriser bolt torque device 52 between an open configuration and a closedconfiguration. For example, the first arm 60 and the second arm 62 mayrotate about the pivot 64 as shown by arrows 70 to bring respectivesecond ends 72 (e.g., distal ends) toward one another (e.g., to decreasea separation distance between the second ends 72) to reach the closedconfiguration. In some embodiments, the respective second ends 72 maycontact one another in the closed configuration (e.g., to form acomplete ring). Additionally, the first arm 60 and the second arm 62 mayrotate about the pivot 64 as shown by arrows 74 to pull the respectivesecond ends 72 away from one another (e.g., to increase the separationdistance between the second ends 72) to reach the open configuration.Thus, the first arm and the second arm 62 may be considered to form aclamshell arrangement or have a clamshell operation.

The first arm 60 and the second arm 62 may support multiple torque tools80 (e.g., automated wrenches). Together, the first arm 60 and its torquetools may be considered a first arm assembly, and the second arm 62 andits torque tools 80 may be considered a second arm assembly. Themultiple torque tools 80 may be spaced apart from one another andpositioned to enable the multiple torque tools 80 to align with thebolts 54 when the riser bolt torque device 52 is in the closedconfiguration. While six bolts 54 and six torque tools 80 are shown tofacilitate discussion, it should be appreciated that there may be anynumber of bolts 54 and any number of torque tools 80 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, or more). Furthermore, the number of bolts 54 and the numberof torque tools 80 may be the same or different. For example, there maybe eight bolts 54 and four torque tools and the four torque tools 80tighten four of the bolts 54 at one time and then move to tighten theremaining four of the bolts 54 at another time).

In some embodiments, the riser joints 38 may support the one or moreauxiliary lines 46 that extend through openings in the flange 56 and/orthat extend along radially-outer edges of the flange 56. Accordingly,the riser bolt torque device 52 may include one or more grooves 82(e.g., cutouts), such as along radially-inner surfaces (e.g., curvedsurfaces; arcs) of the first arm 60 and the second arm 62, toaccommodate the one or more auxiliary lines 46 and/or so as not tointerfere with the one or more auxiliary lines in the closedconfiguration. As discussed in more detail herein, the multiple torquetools 80 may also be positioned to extend radially-inwardly of the firstarm 60 and the second arm 62 to accommodate the one or more auxiliarylines 46.

The riser bolt torque system 50 may include a controller 90 (e.g.,electronic controller) that includes a processor 92, a memory device 94,a communication device 96, an input device 98, and/or an output device100. In operation, the controller 90 may receive an indication (e.g.,from a sensor that monitors a position of the riser joints 38 and/orfrom an operator via the input device 98) to begin riser constructionoperations to join the riser joints 38. Then, the controller 90 mayinstruct one or more drives to move the riser bolt torque device 52 froma storage location (e.g., retracted behind a wall of the moon pool) to aworking location (e.g., extended into the moon pool) that is proximateto a riser construction location at which the riser joints 38 will bejoined to one another. For example, the controller 90 may instruct oneor more drive wheels to rotate to move the riser bolt torque device 52along a track between the storage location and the working location. Inany case, as shown in FIG. 2 , the controller 90 may move the riser bolttorque device 52 in the open configuration to a centered position inwhich the riser bolt torque device 52 at least partiallycircumferentially surrounds the first riser joint 40.

The controller 90 may receive an indication (e.g., from the sensorand/or from the operator) that the first riser joint 40 is properlyaligned and is ready to be bolted to another riser joint (e.g., thesecond riser joint 42 of FIG. 1 ). In response, the controller 90 mayinstruct one or more actuators 110 (e.g., hydraulic; pneumatic;electric) to drive the first arm 60 and the second arm 62 to the closedposition, which causes the torque tools 80 to be positioned verticallyover the bolts 54. Then, the controller 90 may instruct the one or moredrives (or the one or more actuators 110) to vertically lower the riserbolt torque device 52 and/or the torque tools 80 toward the bolts 54 toreach an engaged position in which the torque tools (e.g., sockets ofthe torque tools) engage the bolts 54. Then, the controller 90 mayinstruct the torque tools 80 to apply torque to tighten the bolts 54 tothereby secure the first riser joint 40 to another riser joint.

After the first riser joint 40 is joined to another riser joint in thisway, the controller 90 may instruct the one or more drives to verticallyraise the riser bolt torque device 52 and/or the torque tools 80 awayfrom the bolts 54 to reach a disengaged position in which the torquetools 80 are separated from the bolts 54. Then, the controller 90 mayinstruct the one or more actuators 110 to drive the first arm 60 and thesecond arm 62 to the open position to enable the next riser joint to bepositioned to couple to an opposite end of the first riser joint 40.This process may be repeated over and over to couple multiple riserjoints to one another to form the riser 20 of FIG. 1 . It should beappreciated that the riser bolt torque device 52 may remain in the openconfiguration in the centered position as the next riser joint isaligned (e.g., fed through an interior space 112 defined between thefirst arm 60 and the second arm 62 of the riser bolt torque device 52).Alternatively, the riser bolt torque device 52 may be removed (e.g.,withdrawn; offset) from the centered position to enable the next riserjoint to be aligned with the first riser joint and then the riser bolttorque device 52 may be returned to the centered position once the nextriser joint is aligned with the first riser joint 40.

In some embodiments, the bolts 54 may be positioned in the openings ofthe flange 56 prior to positioning the first riser joint 40 at the riserconstruction location and/or by another device (e.g., other than theriser bolt torque device 52) while the first riser joint 40 is at theriser construction location. However, in some embodiments, the riserbolt torque device 52 may be configured to retrieve the bolts 54 from amagazine 120 (e.g., storage rack), insert the bolts 54 into the openingsin the flange 56 (e.g., as the riser bolt torque device 52 is movedvertically into engagement with the first riser joint 40), and thentighten the bolts 54 as described herein. In such cases, the magazine120 may be positioned to be accessible to the torque tools 80 of theriser bolt torque device 52 via pivoting movement of the riser bolttorque device 52 and/or the magazine 120 may include robotic arms orother features that hand the bolts 54 to the torque tools 80 of theriser bolt torque device 52, for example.

It should be appreciated that the controller 90 may be a dedicatedcontroller for the riser bolt torque system 50 and/or the controller 90may be part of or include a distributed controller with one or moreelectronic controllers in communication with one another to carry outthe various techniques disclosed herein. The processor 92 may alsoinclude one or more processors configured to execute software, such assoftware for processing signals and/or controlling the components of theriser bolt torque system 50. The memory device 94 disclosed herein mayinclude one or more memory devices (e.g., a volatile memory, such asrandom access memory [RAM], and/or a nonvolatile memory, such asread-only memory [ROM]) that may store a variety of information and maybe used for various purposes. For example, the memory device 94 maystore processor-executable instructions (e.g., firmware or software) forthe processor 92 to execute, such as instructions for processing signalsand/or controlling the components of the riser bolt torque system 50.

It should be appreciated that the controller 90 may include variousother components, such as the communication device 96 that is capable ofreceiving instructions from various other devices (e.g., a remotecomputing system) and/or communicating data (e.g., a currentconfiguration and/or a current position of the riser bolt torque device52) to the various other devices. Furthermore, the input device 98 mayinclude one or more keys, switches, microphones, or physical devicesthat may be operated/manipulated by an operator to provide an input tocontrol the riser bolt torque system 50. The output device 100 mayinclude one or more displays (e.g., screens) to provide visual outputsfor the operator and/or one or more speakers to provide audible outputsfor the operator. In some embodiments, the output device 100 may also bethe input device 98 and/or operate as an additional input device (e.g.,touchscreen display). The riser bolt torque system 50 may includevarious other components, such as sensors to monitor the operations atthe riser construction location and/or cameras to obtain images of theriser construction location. In such cases, sensor data and/or theimages may be provided via the output device 100. In this way, theoperator may be positioned remotely from the riser construction location(e.g., outside of the moon pool; away from the platform 22 of FIG. 1 )and may provide inputs and/or receive feedback as the riser bolt torquesystem 50 couples the riser joints 38 and/or decouples the riser joints38.

With the foregoing in mind, FIGS. 3-13 illustrate an embodiment of theriser bolt torque device 52 in various configurations and variouspositions. FIGS. 3-13 also show portions of two riser joints 38, whichare labeled as the first riser joint 40 and the second riser joint 42 tofacilitate discussion.

In particular, FIGS. 3-5 illustrate the riser bolt torque device 52 inthe open configuration and in an offset position (e.g., offsetvertically and radially) from the two riser joints 38. The riser bolttorque device 52 may be in the open configuration and the offsetposition prior to the riser construction operations and/or as the firstriser joint 40 is moved into alignment with the second riser joint 42,for example. As shown, the bolts 54 may extend through respectiveopenings formed in the respective flange 56 of the first riser joint 40and through respective openings formed in the respective flange 56 ofthe second riser joint 42. The one or more auxiliary lines 46 may alsoextend through respective openings formed in the respective flange 56 ofthe first riser joint 40 and through respective openings formed in therespective flange 56 of the second riser joint 42.

With reference to FIGS. 3-5 , the riser bolt torque device 52 includesthe first arm 60 and the second arm 62, which are pivotally coupled toone another via the pivot 64. The pivot 64 may include a plate 130(e.g., support; bracket) and at least one pin 132, and first ends 134 ofthe actuators 110 are coupled to the plate 130. Second ends 136 of theactuators 110 are coupled to the first arm 60 and the second arm 62 suchthat actuation of the actuators 110 drives the first arm 60 and thesecond arm 62 to pivot about the at least one pin 132 relative to theplate 130. In particular, extension of the actuators 110 drives thefirst arm 60 and the second arm 62 to pivot to bring the respectivesecond ends 72 closer together to adjust the riser bolt torque device 52to the closed configuration, while retraction of the actuators 110drives the first arm 60 and the second arm 62 to drive the respectivesecond ends 72 further apart to adjust the riser bolt torque device 52to the open configuration.

However, prior to adjusting from the open configuration to the closedconfiguration, the riser bolt torque device 52 may be moved from theoffset position shown in FIGS. 3-5 to a centered position shown in FIGS.6-8 . In particular, with reference to FIG. 5 , the riser bolt torquedevice 52 may be aligned with the first riser joint 40 such that adevice center axis 140 (e.g., that extends radially through the pin 132)intersects a riser center axis 142 (e.g., that extends verticallythrough the first riser joint 40). Then, with reference to FIGS. 6-8 ,the riser bolt torque device 52 may be driven toward the first riserjoint 40 (e.g., the pin 132 is closer to the riser center axis 142)until the first arm 60 and the second arm 62 at least partially surroundthe first riser joint 40 (e.g., the first riser joint 40 extends throughthe interior space 112 defined between the first arm 60 and the secondarm 62). In this way, the riser bolt torque device 52 is no longeroffset radially relative to the first riser joint 40; however, the riserbolt torque device 52 may remain offset vertically (e.g., above)relative to the first riser joint 40.

Then, while the riser bolt torque device 52 is in the centered positionand offset vertically from the first riser joint 40, the actuators 110may be actuated (e.g., extended) to drive the first arm 60 and thesecond arm 62 to the closed configuration as shown in FIGS. 9-11 . Thismay cause each of the torque tools 80 to be positioned vertically above(e.g., aligned with) a respective bolt 54. Also, because the torquetools 80 extend radially-inwardly from the first arm 60 and the secondarm 62, the first arm 60 and the second arm 62 may not contact orotherwise interfere with the one or more auxiliary lines 46 in theclosed configuration.

Once the riser bolt torque device 52 is in the closed configurationabout the first riser joint 40 (e.g., circumferentially surrounds thefirst riser joint 40), the riser bolt torque device 52 and/or the torquetools 80 may be lowered to an engaged position in which the torque tools80 engage the bolts 54 (e.g., sockets of the torque tools 80 receive andengage the bolts 54). Then, the torque tools 80 may be controlled toapply torque to the bolts 54 to tighten the bolts 54 to secure the firstriser joint 40 to the second riser joint 42. The riser bolt torquedevice 52 may reach a final position, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 , asthe bolts 54 are tightened in this way.

After the first riser joint 40 is joined to another riser joint in thisway, the riser bolt torque device 52 and/or the torque tools 80 may beraised vertically from the bolts 54 to reach a disengaged position inwhich the torque tools 80 are separated from the bolts 54. Then, the oneor more actuators 110 may be actuated to drive the first arm 60 and thesecond arm 62 to the open position to enable the next riser joint to bepositioned to couple to an opposite end of the first riser joint 40.This process may be repeated over and over to couple multiple riserjoints to one another to form the riser 20 of FIG. 1 . As noted herein,it should be appreciated that the riser bolt torque device 52 may remainin the open configuration in the centered position as the next riserjoint is aligned (e.g., fed through an interior space 112 definedbetween the first arm 60 and the second arm 62 of the riser bolt torquedevice 52). Alternatively, the riser bolt torque device 52 may beremoved from the centered position (e.g., withdrawn to the offsetposition) to enable the next riser joint to be aligned with the firstriser joint 40, and then the riser bolt torque device 52 may be returnedto the centered position once the next riser joint is aligned with thefirst riser joint 40.

As noted above, the riser bolt torque device 52 may also be operated toloosen the bolts 54 to separate the first riser joint 40 from the secondriser joint 42 to break up the riser 20 of FIG. 1 . For example, thefirst riser joint 40 may be lifted to be accessible to the riser bolttorque device 52. Then, the riser bolt torque device 52 may be adjustedand moved as described herein (e.g., from the offset position to theengaged position, and from the open configured to the closedconfiguration) to engage the bolts 54 of the first riser joint 40. Then,the riser bolt torque device 52 may apply torque to loosen the bolts 54to enable separation of the first riser joint 40 from the second riserjoint 42. Then, the riser bolt torque device 52 may be adjusted andmoved as described herein (e.g., from the closed configured to the openconfiguration and/or from the engaged position to the offset position)to enable the first riser joint 40 to be separated from the second riserjoint 42 and/or to enable the second riser joint 42 to be lifted to beaccessible to the riser bolt torque device 52. This process may berepeated over and over until all of the riser joints of the riser areseparated from one another.

It should be appreciated that all of the features discussed above withrespect to FIGS. 1-13 may be combined in any suitable manner. While thedisclosure may be susceptible to various modifications and alternativeforms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should beunderstood that the disclosure is not intended to be limited to theparticular forms disclosed. Rather, the disclosure is intended to coverall modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within thespirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following appendedclaims.

1. A method of operating a riser bolt torque system, the methodcomprising: adjusting a riser bolt torque device from a radially-offsetposition to a centered position relative to a first riser joint;adjusting the riser bolt torque device from an open configuration to aclosed configuration by pivoting a first arm and a second arm of theriser bolt torque device toward one another; adjusting a plurality oftorque tools of the riser bolt torque device to engage a plurality ofbolts that extend through the first riser joint; and operating theplurality of torque tools to apply torque to the plurality of bolts tocouple the first riser joint to a second riser joint to extend a riserof a subsea drilling system.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: adjusting the plurality of torque tools of the riser bolttorque device to disengage from the plurality of bolts that extendthrough the first riser joint; and adjusting the riser bolt torquedevice from the closed configuration to the open configuration bypivoting the first arm and the second arm of the riser bolt torquedevice away from one another.
 3. The method of claim 2, furthercomprising: aligning an additional riser joint with the first riserjoint; adjusting the riser bolt torque device from the openconfiguration to the closed configuration by pivoting the first arm andthe second arm of the riser bolt torque device toward one another;adjusting the plurality of torque tools of the riser bolt torque deviceto engage a plurality of additional bolts that extend through theadditional riser joint; and operating the plurality of torque tools toapply torque to the plurality of additional bolts to couple theadditional riser joint to the first riser joint to extend the riser ofthe subsea drilling system.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprisingoperating the plurality of torque tools to apply torque to the pluralityof bolts to unfasten the first riser joint from the second riser jointto break up the riser of the subsea drilling system.